So, here's the first chapter of my FMA crossover. It starts at the end of the second year, but this chapter finishes the second year and the following summer. Next chapter starts the third year, and the story will continue at a more normal pace.
I am not the owner of FMA or HP.
FMA chapter 1
Harry stretches as he walks into the Great Hall. Last night's sleep had been among the best he'd ever had. He was vindicated. The whole school knew the truth, or at least part of it. Harry hadn't opened the chamber of secrets. In fact, Harry had gone into the chamber, fought and killed Slytherin's monster before defeating the Heir. That was the story going around the school. No one knew that the heir was Ginny Weasley. That was probably for the best. After all, she didn't have any control over herself. It wouldn't do to have her be tormented by the petrified students and their friends, not to mention being crucified by the daily prophet once some (i.e. Malfoy) let slip that she was behind it. Her life would be over.
He was early, with only a few Ravenclaws and two Slytherin's awake and eating breakfast. Professor McGonagall walks over to him as soon as he sits down.
"Mr. Potter, Good morning." She smiles, handing him a slip of parchment, "Most of the other students completed this yesterday, but Professor Dumbledore thought it would be best to wait until today. Please select your electives for next year, and return the parchment to me as soon as possible."
"Of course." He nods, looking down at the parchment.
Muggle Studies – Look back on the ways that muggles have impacted the wizarding world, and how they can work with us to expand into tomorrow. Professor Burbage.
Arithmancy – Basic predictions based on mathematical calculations, eventually tying into why your spells work, and how to change them or create new spells entirely. Professor Vector
Ancient Runes – The study of the language and uses of ancient runes for the purpose of translating ancient documents, imbuing magic into a nonmagical item, or creating barriers. Professor Babbling
Care of Magical Creatures – Learn about the nature, and handling of a wide verity of magical creatures, as well as the uses of said creature and how to safely harvest them. Professor Kettleburn
Divination – Open your inner eye and see into the future! Professor Trelawney
Alchemy – Understand the theory of alchemic arrays and their use in the creation of new material, as well as studying the creation of said arrays, and adjusting their powers for a desired purpose. Professor Elric
Healing – Learn to heal small wounds and antidotes to minor poison and creature venoms, as well as removing all manner of curses, jinx, and charms. Madam Pompfrey
Pictomancy – learn the uses of magical paints and pigments, as well as the combined effects of a verity of colors to produce magical works of art. Professor Jose
"Let's not do Muggle studies." He mutters, placing a line through it, "I've had enough of muggles for a life time." Looking them over, the next one he removed was pictomancy, "I never was much of an artist in grade school." After that was Ancient runes, "I had enough trouble with Spanish. I can't imagine how I'd survive that." Last was Divination, "seriously a lame description."
That left Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, Alchemy, and Healing. His first instinct was to rule out Alchemy, but he keeps flashing back to the end of his first year, and the Philosopher stone, and he couldn't resist the temptation to find out what it was. Getting up, he walks to the head table and up to Professor McGonagall, "Is there a limit to the number of classes I can take?"
Obviously this wasn't what she'd expected, but she covers fairly well before answering, "Technically, no. However, special arrangements have to be made for students who have chosen four or more electives. These would require you to be a student in good standing, and have the grades to show that you can cope with the increased course work. I'm sorry, Mr. Potter, but I can't say that after your work the last two years that you would be able to handle it."
"That's alright." He sighs, "Then I'll just drop Care of Magical Creatures. After fighting a basilisk, it doesn't seem nearly as fun as it would have been." Making the necessary changes to the slip, he hands it back to her.
After a moment of looking at it, she smiles, "Well, this is a surprise. You are the only Gryffindor this year to opt for Alchemy. Even Miss Granger decided against it."
"I just can't shake the fascination I've had since I saw the philosopher stone." He shrugs.
"Excellent. Perhaps Mr. Wesley hasn't ruined you yet." She smiles, "Five points to Gryffindor."
Nodding, Harry walks back to the table and sat next to Hermione, who had arrived since he left, "What did you need to talk to Professor McGonagall about?" she asks him.
"I hadn't picked my electives." He answers, "I choose Arithmancy, Healing, and Alchemy."
"Wow." She smiles, "You're the opposite of Ron. He deliberately chose Divination and Care because he thought that they'd be the least work."
"I thought about Care, but with what happened with Aragog and the Basilisk this year, I think I'm put off magical creatures for life. Fawkes can only do so much."
"Well, It looks like you and me can do our Arithmancy Homework together next year." she smiles, "I took care, Divination, Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, and muggle studies."
"Hermione, leave some classes for the other students!" Harry laughs as she playfully slaps him in the arm.
"Still, I'm surprised that you choose alchemy." She says happily, "Maybe Ron hasn't ruined you yet."
"You know, McGonagall said that same thing. And I'll have you know that I was one of the best students in my class during grade school. I just got lazy when the Dursleys started beating me for 'pressuring their little duddykins with my freakish grades.'"
"Well, I hope that you stay this way." She says as she starts dishing up her breakfast, "but you won't see Ron in any of your electives."
"Maybe, but I still like my choices. Alchemy is interesting, Arithmancy sounds like it might be fun, math was my best subject after all, and after what I've gone through the last two years, a little healing wouldn't go amiss."
"True. I wish I'd thought of that." She mutters, "But I thought that five was a good place to stop. Alchemy might be a bit too much on top of everything else, I've heard it's really tough, and I'm not an artist, so Pictomancy is out, but it was a tossup between Muggle Studies and Healing."
"Well, I'll give you copies of all of my notes." Harry promises, "I just hope that this summer is better than last."
As it turns out, it wasn't. The first thing that happened when he got back to Number Four was this trunk and supplies, wand included, being locked under the cupboard. His protests about summer work fell on deaf ears. If anything, it might have encouraged them. After all, if he got kicked out, he might come back and they could have their personal slave back.
The second thing was he was locked in his room, with only Hedwig to keep him company. The only improvements over the last year was that there were no bars on his window, and he had permission to let her out at night to do some hunting and send letters, as long as the neighbors didn't notice. Not that they would notice anyway. He'd learned that all owls used to send letters have selective notice me not charms so that no muggle unaware of magic will notice that they exist.
The third thing that happened was Dudley's school physician decided to try and kill him. She sent home a few letters that, despite their best efforts to the contrary; the Dursleys could find no counter to. They'd always insisted that Dudley was perfect and didn't need to change, and that anyone who said otherwise was wrong. But none of that changed the simple fact that the school did not have clothes big enough to fit him anymore. It took the better part of an afternoon of yelling, screaming, and crying before Dudley tearfully gave in. out of respect for Dudley, all of them would be on the same diet, not that Harry cared. As soon as his first miserable breakfast of a few grapes was finished, he sent Hedwig off with letters pleading for aid from his friends, who responded. A sack full of rock cakes from Hagrid (Which Harry was saving as ammo for when Dudley found his stash) five baskets of pastries, breads and the like from Mrs. Weasley, and a bag of health fruit and sugar free candy from Hermione (whose parents were dentists,) now filled the loose floorboard under his bed. Needless to say, for the first time in his life, he was eating better than the Dursleys.
Only a couple of days after he arrived back, Ron Weasley made the mistake of calling and what happened next was a shouting match of epic proportions. Ron was shouting because he didn't know that he didn't have to, and Uncle Vernon was shouting because Ron mentioned Hogwarts. After deafening most of the neighborhood, and ripping the phone out of the wall, Vernon started to beat Harry with the phone until Harry was bleeding and the phone was destroyed. Just to add insult to injure, Harry was forced to clean up the millions of little pieces it had been broken into it.
As the summer passed, he grew more and more stir crazy. The Dursleys had refused to let him leave the house, as they were hoping that the neighbors would forget that he lived there. It didn't help any that the Hogwarts letters came on his birthday, accompanied by several other owls delivering various birthday presents and cakes enchanted to stay fresh. With the letter came a permission slip to visit Hogsmeade village.
When he went down to breakfast, as he was about to ask Uncle Vernon about the permission slip, he dropped a bombshell of his own. Aunt Marge was coming to visit for a week that afternoon. To Dudley, that meant that he would be free from the diet for a week, and he'd likely get a new present. For Harry, that means that the only person he hated more than Snape, the Dursleys, and Voldemort combined was coming to visit.
Thinking quickly, he turned out his pockets and counted out the galleons and sickles. If he could get this turned to muggle money… Hermione! Racing up the stairs, he placed the galleons in a pouch that he attached to Hedwig's leg and sent her off with a note. Three days later, three days into the hellish visit, Hedwig arrived back, bringing with her a quick note and more than enough money. While Uncle Vernon, Dudley, and Aunt Marge were out shopping, Harry approached his aunt petunia.
His offer was simple. She signs the permission slip, unlocks his things from the cupboard, and lets him leave. In return, he gives her fifty pounds and they don't see each other again until the next summer. It took a moment of consideration before she grabbed a pen and signed the permission slip. Sending Hedwig to the leaky Cauldron, he puts her cage, along with all of the food he had stashed in the floorboard, into his truck and leaves the house after calling for a cab to pick him up a few streets away. Aunt Petunia didn't want anyone to associate it with her.
Ignoring the cabby's questioning look when Harry asked to be let out in front of a rundown building, Harry paid the man and walked into the bar, where he was immediately met by Hedwig and a man that Harry had seen only once before, Cornelius Fudge, The Minister of Magic. Apparently, He had worried the ministry by leaving his house and not being seen again, with only an owl with no letter to tell of his state. Somehow, this turned out to be for the best, as Fudge took it upon himself to pay for Harry's stay for the rest of the summer.
With the ability to finish his school work reattained, and before he could fall into the old habit of procrastinating, Harry went to Gringotts and replenished his money supply, than got all of the required books for the next school year. Finally, with everything safely locked in his trunk he grabbed all his homework, and the books he needed to complete them and sat down at a booth in Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream parlor to work. The owner, Florean, said that he always supported a boy with good work ethic and brought him a free sundae every half hour, and with it a bit of advice on whatever piece of work he was working on at the time. Between the two of them, it was done by the end of the first day, and Harry could finally relax. Jotting down a quick note to both Ron and Hermione, he sent Hedwig on her way and through himself down for the night.
With his homework behind him, Harry spent the next three weeks exploring the little known shops in Diagon Alley (And a few in knockturn alley. But don't tell anyone!) And admiring the state of the art racing broom that went on display a week after he arrived. The firebolt. As amazing as it looked, he couldn't see himself replacing his tried and true Nimbus that's never lost him a game just for a bit more speed. Once all of that had grown dull, Harry started into what Ron would call a Hermione habit and started reading through his new textbooks. Arithmancy didn't seem too confusing on the surface, but some of the equations still made his head spin by the end. Healing was completely lost on him, so hopefully Madam Pompfrey did a better job of teaching then the book did.
But the subject that really caught his interest was Alchemy. There were two different Alchemy classes offered at Hogwarts. One is the third year elective that Harry would be taking, which focused on practical alchemy. The other was exclusively for sixth and seventh year's students who showed an aptitude for Potions, Astronomy, Ancient Runes, and Arithmancy. This was focused on lab based alchemy, which was far more difficult than practical alchemy. The required textbook, 'Equivalent Exchange: the Beginner's Guide to Alchemy.' By Izumi Curtis, was based solely on practical Alchemy, and Harry found it quite the engaging read. He couldn't wait to get back to Hogwarts so he could practice.
When his curiosity got the better of him, and he bought some more advanced textbooks, he groaned at how complex some of the experiments detailed in them were. It was no wonder that his was restricted to sixth and seventh years. He probably understood one or two words in the entire first chapter. Still, those on practical alchemy made slightly more sense, and Harry still had them all read by the end of the summer.
On the very last day, Harry went down to breakfast and was engulfed by a bushy haired missile. Hermione and the Weasley had finally showed up. He'd been expecting them since the Weasley returned from Egypt the week before, but there was no sign of them, and he was getting nervous. Hermione's first question was if he'd finished his summer work, which he handed to her and Professor granger deemed it acceptable, but was quick to point out where Harry was only partially right, not to criticize him, but so he knew for the future. Ron stared at them in wonder as they had a meaningful discussion about school work.
He happily accompanied them to get their school supplies, and after a quick word with Florean, both he and Hermione were treated to free sundaes, though Harry was courteous enough to pay for the Weasley's to join in. The last place they went was the pet store, so that Hermione could get an owl and Scabbers, Ron's pet rat, could be wasn't long until a giant orange cat tried to get at the poor rat. After buying a small bottle of rat tonic, Ron grabbed Scabbers and ran before they could be attacked again by the beast, while Harry and Hermione kept looking. Eventually, Hermione decided that instead of an owl, she would by the cat, whose name was Crookshanks.
Ron and Hermione got into a big fight over the cat, who was growling in his cage and sending Scabbers running into the bar, Ron in hot pursuit. With Scabbers safe in the Weasley's room, and Hermione's new pet in her own, they group sat down for a nice dinner. Not long after, Harry lay down in his bed, looking forward to the train back to Hogwarts the next day.
The next morning, Harry was up and about plenty early, making sure that all of his school supplies were packed, picking up a few new books and some potions ingredients, intent on actually trying to pass the class this year, before putting everything in his trunk and bringing it down stairs just as the first Weasley, Percy, was up.
"Good Morning Harry." He smiles kindly, extending a hand, "I must say that I'm impressed that you seem to be making the effort to improve your school work."
"Thank you, Percy." He nods, shaking the offered hand, "And my congratulations for becoming head boy."
"Thank you." He says proudly, looking around the room to see if Harry's words had gathered any attention, "If you don't mind my asking, what brought about the change?"
"I don't know. Everything just started going weird after I decided on Alchemy as an elective, then being sent off to the Dursleys for the summer, where I had nothing to do, by the time I got here, I was bored out of my mind, and just started studying. The next thing you know, I've read through four volumes of Alchemy textbooks, and I'm waiting for the fifth."
"Alchemy, huh?" he nods, "I never took it myself, but I'm glad you found something that you like, and I hope that this isn't a temporary thing."
"I hope so too. Honestly, I can't really see myself going back to leaving all of my work to the last minute like I've done for the last two years." He shrugs, and Percy pats him on the shoulder.
"Well, if you need any help, just ask. As head boy, it my duty to aid where I can."
"Thanks Percy. I'll do that." He nods, "By the way, the twins pranked your badge."
Percy looks down at his chest and flushes in embarrassment as he reads 'Bighead Boy', "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Harry. I will be right back." On that calm note, he charges up the stairs, screaming for the twins.
Ten minutes later, two bruised twins limped down the stairs, followed by Percy, whose badge was restored to normal. Looking over at the clock on the wall, he turns to Percy, "I want to get a head start to the train. Can you tell everyone else?"
"That won't be a problem." Percy nods, "I suppose you want to make sure there isn't a repeat of last year?"
"You know me too well." Harry chuckles, "Besides, that was Ron's idea. I wanted to send an owl."
"Funny. Ron said the same thing." Percy glares, "But, I think I'll trust you for now. See you on the train."
"See you." Harry says as he walks over to the bar, pays eight Knuts for a pinch of floo powder, and flooed to the platform just as the train rolls in. The platform was mostly empty, aside from a few students scattered around, some with their parents. Once the train was stopped, Harry put his trunk in the luggage compartment, and opened the door to Hedwig's cage, "Why don't you fly ahead to Hogwarts? You haven't exactly had much time to fly."
Hedwig hoots in appreciation before taking flight and soaring in the sky above the railroad tracks. With everything stored away, except the bag he was taking with him, Harry climbed aboard the train just as the platform started filling up. Every now and then he would spot someone he knew, mostly a few older Gryffindors that he only knew by face, but he also saw his dorm mate, Sheamus, who arrived with his mom.
As the remaining time ticked down, Harry started growing anxious. Finally, five minutes before it was set to depart, the weasleys bustled onto the platform, and Mr. Weasley was forced to break out his wand to get the trunks put away in time. The train began moving almost as soon as all five children were on the train. Two minutes later, the door to his cabin opens.
"Harry, why did you leave so early?" Ron asks, "Dad was hoping to get a word with you."
"Sorry about that." Harry sighs, "After what happened last year, I wanted to make sure that I didn't miss the train again."
"Good for you." Hermione says approvingly, and then looks at his bag, "What book is that?"
"My alchemy textbook. Since we're on the train, we can use magic again, and I wanted to try some out." Harry answers, taking out a sheet of plastic that he'd prepared in advance. A basic transmutation circle was drawn onto it to the precise specifications listed in the book, so Harry puts it on the floor and after a few calming breathes, he points is wand at it. Immediately there was a flash of green light that filled the compartment, and Harry was forced to squint. After it passed, Harry smiles brightly, picking up the small model dog that had been created, "See?"
"That's incredible!" Hermione says as he looks at the dog from all sides, "How did you do that?"
Harry moves over next to here and takes out a second piece, using it as an example, "The circles itself is necessary for the transmutation, but the shapes and symbols inside are what affect the overall effect. An advanced alchemist might be able to achieve a complex transmutation was a simple circle, but I've got to be a precise as possible. The mirrored triangle is what defines the shape, and when combined with the symbols for mercury and gold, changes the shape to a dog. After that, the material on which it's as drawn, in this case, a piece of plastic would turn into a dog of the same material and mass."
'Harry, are you actually doing school work on the train?!" Ron gasps, "I think Hermione's been a bad influence on you."
"Not really." Harry shrugs, "After all, alchemy is useful. With enough skill, I could create a philosopher stone and live forever. Would you still say that she was a bad influence on me?"
"That's the spirit." Hermione smiles, taking out a pad of paper, "Can you start explaining form the beginning? I really wish I'd taken it now!"
Harry was only too happy to oblige, taking out a quill and drawing a few test circles on the parchment before turning each into a different animal, all while explaining why each was different. Hermione was taking notes so fast, it's a wonder the paper didn't burn. As the lesson continued, Ron looked more and more upset that harry was taking his school work seriously.
"Does it have to be the same material?" Hermione asks after Harry creates a parchment tiger, "I mean, could you transmute this paper into metal?"
"It's possible, but that's much more complex, and I doubt I could really do it effectively. It takes very precise combinations to alter the structure of a material, and if you aren't carefully, the results could be disastrous." Harry explains, taking out the one piece he'd prepared for this exact experiment and handing it to her, "This was taken from one of the textbooks, and it turns plastic to stone." Harry says as he points his wand at it again. When the light of the transmutation disappeared, Harry showed her the block of stone, "But because the circle was so complex, I couldn't alter the form. I would have to draw a new circle on the stone to turn it into something else. So I would have to draw two circles, which would take twice as much time, and twice as much risk of making a mistake to do what a more advanced alchemist could do in one attempt. Like I said. Not very effective."
Ron scowls at them as they continue their conversation, but remains silent for the entire trip.
So, next is the remainder of the train ride, and the first morning of hogwarts. Feel free to leave a reveiw. I don't usually bite.